Gun X Sword }}, known by some fans as GXS, is a 26-episode anime television series, directed by Gorō Taniguchi and produced by AIC A.S.T.A, which premiered in July 2005. The series also featured character designs by animator Takahiro Kimura, music by Kōtarō Nakagawa and numerous collaborations from many other staff who have worked with Taniguchi on several of his series. The protagonist, Van, travels the world searching for a mysterious man with a clawed right hand who killed his bride. He is joined by several other travelers along the way, each linked to the clawed man by a personal loss. Gradually they find the makings of a plot that will shake the foundations of the world they live on.
GunXSword is set on the 'Planet of Endless Illusion'; a place where rogues of all sorts gather. The world itself has one moon orbiting it, and has a general technical level of modern Earth, with a few exceptions, such as humanoid combat suits called 'Armors'. The overall culture has a 'wild west' feel to it, with general lawlessness in the more rural areas and large expanses of wilderness.
The series received its English language TV premiere on Sony's anime television network Animax, which dubbed it in English for broadcast across its English language networks in Southeast Asia (from March 2007) and later in South Asia, under the title Gun X Sword. The series was also licensed for North America by Geneon Entertainment, who produced a separate English dub overseen by New Generation Pictures, which is also available in Australia from Madman Entertainment and in the United Kingdom by MVM Films.
